Appointments of match officials at 2023 FIFA Club World Cup.
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| Tori Penso (USA) will referee the opener |
First Round
12 December 2023, 19:00 CET
Al Ittihad Jeddah (KSA) - Auckland City FC (NZL)
Referee: Tori Penso USA
Assistant Referee 1: Brooke Mayo USA
Assistant Referee 2: Kathryn Nesbitt USA
Fourth Official: Jean Jacques Ndala Ngambo COD
Reserve Assistant Referee: Elvis Guy Noupue Nguegoue CMR
Video Assistant Referee: Tatiana Guzmán (NCA)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Alejandro José Hernández Hernández (ESP)
Offside Video Assistant Referee: Tomasz Listkiewicz (POL)
Support Video Assistant Referee: Juan Ernesto Soto Arévalo (VEN)
Referee: Tori Penso USA
Assistant Referee 1: Brooke Mayo USA
Assistant Referee 2: Kathryn Nesbitt USA
Fourth Official: Jean Jacques Ndala Ngambo COD
Reserve Assistant Referee: Elvis Guy Noupue Nguegoue CMR
Video Assistant Referee: Tatiana Guzmán (NCA)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Alejandro José Hernández Hernández (ESP)
Offside Video Assistant Referee: Tomasz Listkiewicz (POL)
Support Video Assistant Referee: Juan Ernesto Soto Arévalo (VEN)
Second Round
15 December 2023, 15:30 CET
Referee: Jean Jacques Ndala Ngambo (COD)
Assistant Referee 1: Elvis Guy Noupue Nguegoue (CMR)
Assistant Referee 2: Arsénio Chadreque Marengula (MOZ)
Fourth Official: Szymon Marciniak (POL)
Reserve Assistant Referee: Adam Kupsik (POL)
Video Assistant Referee: Alejandro José Hernández Hernández (ESP)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Adil Zourak (MAR)
Offside Video Assistant Referee: Tomasz Listkiewicz (POL)
Support Video Assistant Referee: Ivan Bebek (CRO)
Assistant Referee 1: Elvis Guy Noupue Nguegoue (CMR)
Assistant Referee 2: Arsénio Chadreque Marengula (MOZ)
Fourth Official: Szymon Marciniak (POL)
Reserve Assistant Referee: Adam Kupsik (POL)
Video Assistant Referee: Alejandro José Hernández Hernández (ESP)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Adil Zourak (MAR)
Offside Video Assistant Referee: Tomasz Listkiewicz (POL)
Support Video Assistant Referee: Ivan Bebek (CRO)
Al Ahly SC (EGY) - Al Ittihad Jeddah (KSA)
Referee: Jesús Valenzuela (VEN)
Assistant Referee 1: Jorge Urrego (VEN)
Assistant Referee 2: Tulio Moreno (VEN)
Fourth Official: Campbell-Kirk Kawana-Waugh (NZL)
Reserve Assistant Referee: Brooke Mayo (USA)
Video Assistant Referee: Juan Ernesto Soto Arévalo (VEN)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Juan Lara (CHI)
Offside Video Assistant Referee: Kathryn Nesbitt (USA)
Support Video Assistant Referee: Tatiana Guzmán (NCA)
Referee: Jesús Valenzuela (VEN)
Assistant Referee 1: Jorge Urrego (VEN)
Assistant Referee 2: Tulio Moreno (VEN)
Fourth Official: Campbell-Kirk Kawana-Waugh (NZL)
Reserve Assistant Referee: Brooke Mayo (USA)
Video Assistant Referee: Juan Ernesto Soto Arévalo (VEN)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Juan Lara (CHI)
Offside Video Assistant Referee: Kathryn Nesbitt (USA)
Support Video Assistant Referee: Tatiana Guzmán (NCA)
Semifinals
18 December 2023, 19:00 CET
Referee: Szymon Marciniak (POL)
Assistant Referee 1: Tomasz Listkiewicz (POL)
Assistant Referee 2: Adam Kupsik (POL)
Fourth Official: Tori Penso (USA)
Reserve Assistant Referee: Brooke Mayo (USA)
Video Assistant Referee: Tomasz Kwiatkowsk (POL)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Alejandro José Hernández Hernández (ESP)
Offside Video Assistant Referee: Jorge Urrego (VEN)
Support Video Assistant Referee: Khamis Al Marri (QAT)
Offside Video Assistant Referee: Jorge Urrego (VEN)
Support Video Assistant Referee: Khamis Al Marri (QAT)
19 December 2023, 19:00 CET
Urawa Red Diamonds (JPN) - Manchester City FC (ENG) Assistant Referee 1: Khalaf Al Shammari (KSA)
Assistant Referee 2: Yasir Al Sultan (KSA)
Fourth Official: Campbell-Kirk Kawana-Waugh (NZL)
Video Assistant Referee: Adil Zourak (MAR)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Ivan Bebek (CRO)
Offside Video Assistant Referee: Kathryn Nesbitt (USA)
Support Video Assistant Referee: Tatiana Auxiliadora Guzmán Alguera (NCA)
Am I correct in saying that this is the first time that a female referee has refereed a professional men's game 1) in Saudi Arabia, 2) involving a Saudi team? At first I thought it was maybe the first time for any team from the Arab World, but Edina Alves had Al-Duhail (QAT) at the 2020 CWC.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion the appointment has been made exactly for this reason.
DeleteI just wondered today when I studied the observers' names in next week's club competitions why UEFA/FIFA didn't appoint any female observers for men's competitions so far. Should be much easier than to appoint female referees because the argument that women usually are smaller and therefore lack in reaching men's running performances wouldn't work there.
DeleteGood to see (but also necessary with regard to 2032) that this is possible now. I remember that Bundesliga games weren't shown in Saudi-Arabia, when Steinhaus was refereeing.
DeleteAlso nearly impossible to avoid this, because every game could involve either the CONCACAF team or Al Ittihad.
OT
ReplyDeleteThe amount of mobbing in Roma - Fiorentina... Rapuano is simply trying to ignore it. Calls have been mostly correct so far but missed a (reckless) foul by Dybala in 21'.
What a game at Stadio Olimpico! Two correct red cards to Roma players: Zalewski for reckless/SPA kicking in 64' and Lukaku for SFP tackle in 87'.
DeleteRapuano did nothing to prevent mobbing, DtR (90+5' was extreme...) and coaches constantly running (literally!) out of their technical areas... Add to that some bad intentions and you can get a real nightmare. I don't think the refereeing should look like this but in some federations (including FIFA...) the powers that be are very happy with such officiating.
IMO Sorry that's never second YC... And please don't say that criteria for the first and second YC is the same.
DeleteLukaku's RC fpr that flyimg tackle is great decision, spot on!
*For that flying tackle
DeleteThat's what we see in serie A especially in Roma and Lazio games. Then some people here on the blog blame me because I always mention Mourinho, that's a strategy. It is impossible to officiate certain games, believe me. About the red cards, that's Rapuano style, be sure that another referee, due to the power of the clubs, wouldn't have sent off any player, avoiding second YC at first and then only booking for reckless Lukaku. It is a ols style for Rapuano, and as you can see, once applied, never accepted.
DeleteAnd today Mourinho posted picture where Fiorentina's player had brutal foul on Roma's player.
DeleteDidn't see that foul,but if that happened where was YC?
Or even RC?
I agree 2nd YC to Zalewski was too harsh and yes,then you have nervous Roma and Mourinho.
Easy for Jose,you expect that frim him,but what they allow Gianluca Mancini to do is too much.
Complaining,fouling and in every altercation there he is.
Roma and Lazio are the worst team to ref,including Milan when they are losing.
his time management skills are dreadful should have been at least another 3 minutes added at end of game
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, such refereeing is like going back in time. When allowing dirty tactics was tolerated because the awareness was very low among referees.
DeleteOT: In 2. Bundesliga, Rostock-Schalke, we had a very particular VAR incident today.
ReplyDeleteA player was booked in 40' for an elbow challenge. Immediately afterwards the game was suspended for ca. 30 minutes due to fan riots. After the players returned to the pitch, the referee's first action was an OFR and then upgrading the YC to a RC for SFP in 45+24'.
So maybe the longest VAR check in history...
Nyberg for Dortmund-PSG and Makkelie for Newcastle-MIlan
ReplyDeleteVAR Appointment
ReplyDeleteVideo Assistant Referee: Tatiana Guzmán (NCA)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Alejandro José Hernández Hernández (ESP)
Offside Video Assistant Referee: Tomasz Listkiewicz (POL)
Support Video Assistant Referee: Juan Ernesto Soto Arévalo (VEN)
Predictions
ReplyDeleteLeon - Urawa: Valenzuela, Urrego, Moreno (all VEN), Al Hoish (KSA) - Soto (VEN), Lara (CHI), Al Shammari (KSA), Zourak (MAR)
Al Ahly - Al Ittihad: Marciniak, Listkiewicz, Kupsik (all POL), Kawana-Waugh (NZL) - Kwiatkowski (POL), Bebek (CRO), Nesbitt (USA), Hernandez (ESP)
Any info about Penso performance? Looking at the statistics and final score, should have been very calm game.
ReplyDeleteI only watched the last 30 minutes when the result was already settled, very easy final 30 minutes.
DeleteJesus Valenzuela will referee ahli vs ittihad jeddah
ReplyDeleteFULL APPOINTMENTS
ReplyDelete15 December 2023, 15:30 CET
Club León (MEX) - Urawa Red Diamonds (JPN)
Referee: Jean Jacques Ndala Ngambo (COD)
Assistant Referee 1: Elvis Guy Noupue Nguegoue (CMR)
Assistant Referee 2: Arsénio Chadreque Marengula (MOZ)
Fourth Official: Szymon Marciniak (POL)
Reserve Assistant Referee: Adam Kupsik (POL)
Video Assistant Referee: Alejandro José Hernández Hernández (ESP)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Adil Zourak (MAR)
Offside Video Assistant Referee: Tomasz Listkiewicz (POL)
Support Video Assistant Referee: Ivan Bebek (CRO)
15 December 2023, 19:00 CET
Al Ahly SC (EGY) - Al Ittihad Jeddah (KSA)
Referee: Jesús Valenzuela (VEN)
Assistant Referee 1: Jorge Urrego (VEN)
Assistant Referee 2: Tulio Moreno (VEN)
Fourth Official: Campbell-Kirk Kawana-Waugh (NZL)
Reserve Assistant Referee: Brooke Mayo (USA)
Video Assistant Referee: Juan Ernesto Soto Arévalo (VEN)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Juan Lara (CHI)
Offside Video Assistant Referee: Kathryn Nesbitt (USA)
Support Video Assistant Referee: Tatiana Guzmán (NCA)
After an intervention by Juan Soto, Valenzuela has just correctly awarded a penalty for handball to Al-Ahly Cairo. I think the offence was hard to spot for the Venezuelan, but a very clear offence (really quick work by Soto too). No sanctions both for the handball itself and for dissenting behaviour before that can be talking points as well.
ReplyDeletehttps://streamin.me/v/26edb454
DeleteIndeed I think that the handball was hidden to referee, but very clear for VAR.
Much more interesting now the penalty awarded to Al-Ittihad, also for handball. Very curious to read others’ opinions on it when the clip is uploaded! I don’t have a bigger problem with the decision, but it is probably fair to ask if not for the earlier offence whether Soto would have intervened this time.
DeleteFirst penalty should surely be a YC for SPA.
Deletehttps://streamin.me/v/e3ac02be
DeleteWas that directly whistled by referee?
Clear handball for the Italian standard as you can easily guess, while from a different point of view you can say that player hadn't any awareness of ball's position and arm was still in a consistent position with the movement he was making.
One can be a fan of the 2nd one or not, but penalty is the expected decision, and I guess VAR would even intervene for that
DeleteFirst one for me a standard PK.
DeleteSecond one difficult, for me it’s supportable both ways. I think here you referee what is expected generally and I think a PK is the more expected decision although I would prefer it to be no PK (natural position of the arm after jumping in the air).
Semi finals predictions : ahli vs flumenisi ( Marciniak poland ) & man city vs urawa red ( penso usa )
ReplyDeleteMine are
DeleteFluminense - Al Ahly: Marciniak, Listkiewicz, Kupsik (all POL), Penso (USA) - Kwiatkowski (POL), Bebek (CRO), Nesbitt (USA), Hernandez (ESP)
Urawa - Manchester: Al Hoish, Al Shammari, Al Sultan (all KSA), Kawana-Waugh (NZL) - Al Marri (QAT), Guzman (NCA), Urrego (VEN), Lara (CHI)
Al Hoish KSA and urawa Japan the same confederation AFC that's un logic my friend
DeleteYes, but which game should Al Hoish get? The 3rd place game could also involve Urawa and a direct final seems too much for me (although that happened for Al Jassim once).
DeleteFluminense - Al Ahly would be possible for him, but then you either give Marciniak Manchester (both UEFA) or only the 3rd place game, which seems too little.
Furthermore one could argue, that it compensates by Manchester's Arab relations.
Al Hoish in my opinion the 3 rd place match is suitable for him even urawa in this match such as maguette ndyie Senegal with ahli in 2020 and ghorpal Algeria with ahli in 2022 no problem
DeleteStraight RC aganst Al Ahly for deliberate elbowing, supported by VAR.
ReplyDeletehttps://streamin.me/v/84b9debf
That looks clearly wrong to me: Relatively low intensity and arm used as a tool, not as a weapon.
DeleteI agree, for me YC as well.
DeleteI expected VAR intervention to change this decision.
I think this can be assessed as mistake for VAR as well, but less clear than referee's field mistake.
Looks like a very clear YC but nothing more. You would expect VAR to change the decision here.
DeleteI don’t think it’s clearly wrong. It’s a subjective call. The referee saw the action clearly. Red card for SFP (not VC - the player is challenging for the ball) is supportable IMO. It could go either way.
DeleteThere isn't a serious foul play with elbow, the criterion for assessing it as red card is only whether deliberate action or not, based on how it is used. At least, that's what we are said by years. You can't play ball with arm, so the arm can't commit a SFP.
DeleteFirst time I'm hearing that. The laws of the game make the simple distinction that SFP is committed while challenging for the ball, VC is committed while not challenging for the ball.
DeleteI also haven't heard Chefren's point before.
DeleteFrom what I've heard, it can be assessed as SFP and VC. Yes, one of the considerations are deliberate (using the elbow deliberately as a weapon) and therefore VC, BUT from what I know, it can also have the effect of a weapon (regardless of being deliberate or not) and therefore be deemed as more force than the situation required, warranting a red card for SFP. Reading the law this is obviously up for debate but I would say you could argue for both (don't quote me on this).
DeleteWell, strictly according to Law 12, it can't be VC, when challenging for the ball.
DeletePoor decision. Never a VC offence.
ReplyDeletePremier League match between Bournemouth and Luton has been abandoned after Luton captain Tom Lockyer collapsed on the pitch.
ReplyDeleteHalil Umut Meler is scheduled to referee the Turkish Super Cup on December 29th
ReplyDeletehttps://twitter.com/ertemsener/status/1736013490995740944?t=_D3EnNKvzPPB6aXAUNqzig&s=19
That is one media person's prediction. It wouldn't be surprising to see Umut Meler at this game, because there will be back to back Fenerbahce-Galatasaray games one in league (24.12) another game at super cup (29.12). One game will definitely go to him.
DeleteSecond Semifinal, FULL APPOINTMENT
ReplyDelete19 December 2023, 19:00 CET
Urawa Red Diamonds (JPN) - Manchester City FC (ENG)
Referee: Mohammed Al Hoish (KSA)
Assistant Referee 1: Khalaf Al Shammari (KSA)
Assistant Referee 2: Yasir Al Sultan (KSA)
Fourth Official: Campbell-Kirk Kawana-Waugh (NZL)
Reserve Assistant Referee: Arsénio Chadreque Marengula (MOZ)
Video Assistant Referee: Adil Zourak (MAR)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Ivan Bebek (CRO)
Offside Video Assistant Referee: Kathryn Nesbitt (USA)
Support Video Assistant Referee: Tatiana Auxiliadora Guzmán Alguera (NCA)
Very solid performance from Oliver in what had the potential to be a very feisty game. Kept the flashpoints to a minimum. Wrong throw in awarded to Liverpool in stoppage time which sparked the reaction from Dalot but great to see 2 YCs for dissent being issued.
ReplyDeleteBut that's very harsh for me. Dissent should be punished but not in the way and mnner Olivet did. Players should not be muzzled especially when refs make glaring mistakes like the wrong throw in decision.
DeleteOliver was blindsided by the players so I place more blame on the AR. And no, acts of dissent should be punished like this if the FIFA objectives are to be met,. He had an opportunity to stop ranting after the 1st YC, and kept going, I keep reading on here about refs needing to be stronger in clamping down on dissent especially when the player has been cautioned before, this is no different to a player committing 2 YC tackles in the same passage of play. Oliver applied the letter of the law correctly. Predictably the discourse on social media would have you think otherwise
Delete1. That’s in Oliver to get the throw in right, the AR’s are on the other side/end of the pitch and too far away.
Delete2. ‘He had the chance to stop ranting after the first yellow’ , hour right, Dalot did. There was no dissent between yellow cards. His second movement was as Oliver was reaching for the card
Yellow would have been sufficient for me
I completely agree with you RG. Oliver had a very solid game, kept on top of things, then at the end as the first YC is shown he does the same action (possibly even more agressively) and a 2YC is definitely acceptable. If these aren't shown on the big stage, what hope have grassroots officials got?! You don't get a free pass to show dissent just as you've already been booked for it, and based on England wanting this to be clamped down on, I thought Oliver did what he had to do
DeleteWell, after Al-Jassim, it seems we will face another political CWC final appointment by FIFA...
ReplyDeleteThe CWC is always like this, it’s almost always just process of elimination based on confederation (Taylor last year being the exception). Al Jassim’s year was a case of logistic mismanagement as they had nowhere else to put him besides the final and he hadn’t done a single game yet!
DeleteFor this year, the simple choice would be Ngambo for the final. That’s not based on merit of course, just logistics (as it usually is with this tournament - I haven’t watched any of the games besides Penso).
But if they decide to go a different route, anything is possible. Valenzuela breaking confederational neutrality? Penso becoming the first woman to referee a men’s FIFA final? Marciniak going semi+final again? Who knows…
Fabio Maresca had a rather poor first half in Lazio vs Inter. Wrong yellow card, missed yellow cards and inconsistent foul detections. I hope he can improve in second half.
ReplyDeleteControversial moment in the last minutes of Ajax - PEC Zwolle. PEC equalized. Assisting player made a bicycle kick and the ball hits his own hand above shoulder level.
ReplyDeleteReferee Joey Kooij (FIFA) and VAR Sander van der Eijk (FIFA).
https://youtu.be/NAcEemjoQAA?si=gQdfysEJ0Feuwqms&t=310
Dutch referees basically don't want to stand in front of the camera anymore.
DeleteThis time as well, various media outlets in the Netherlands simply explained that it was not an intentional handling, and that the ball went through his own foot and hit his hand, so it was not be punisched.
No one in the Netherlands is discussing whether the ball hitting the player's foot was an intentional play. To begin with, no one knows about it.
My Early prediction for UCL 16th
ReplyDeletePORTO - ARSENAL GIL MANZANO - MARCINIAK
NAPOLI - BARCELLONA TAYLOR - TURPIN
PSG - RAL SOCIEDAD OLIVER - VINCIC
INTER - ATLETICO MADRID ZWAYER - MAKKELIE
PSV - BORUSSIA DMT ORSATO - KOVACS
LAZIO - BAYERN MUNC. NYBERG - COLLUM
COPENAGHEN - M CITY SIEBERT - KRUZLIAK
LIPSIA - REAL MADRID SOARES DIAS - LETEXIER
Inter Milan vs Athletico looks the hardest game to call on paper. Could be a tough game to manage. Expect top names- if they keep Makellie for the final he should be no where near this game.
ReplyDeleteCL predictions:
ReplyDeletePorto - Arsenal: Massa / Gil Manzano
Napoli - Barcelona: Schärer / Zwayer
PSG - Real Sociedad: Soares Dias / Orsato
Inter - Atlético: Kovács / Turpin
PSV - BVB: Kruzliak / Vincic
Lazio - Bayern: Sánchez Martínez / Taylor
Copenhagen - Man City: Peljto / Letexier
Leipzig - Real Madrid: Gozubuyuk / Nyberg
My early UCL predictions:
ReplyDeletePorto - Arsenal: Sanchez Martinez / Massa
Napoli - Barcelona: Nyberg / Letexier
PSG - Real Sociedad: Gozubuyuk / Taylor
Inter - Atlético: Dias / Zwayer
PSV - BVB: Oliver / Kovacs
Lazio - Bayern: Gil Manzano / Makkelie
Copenhagen - Man City: Eskas / Kruzliak
Leipzig - Real Madrid: Umut Meler / Vincic
The Big3 is rested for the QFs.
Penso for final? What do you think? Its the last edition of this CWC format, the better occasion for appoint a women will be impossible in the future..
ReplyDeleteIt would be odd to see Marciniak in both SF and F so yes, this seems to be the plan...
DeletePenso got a semi and final at the women's wc so nothing odd there.
DeleteLanguage comprehension is a strange thing for some people.
DeletePenso getting the semi and final at the WWC WAS odd. That was the whole point. To say that it happening again would not be odd just because it happened once recently... redefines the definition of "odd."
That being said, this is a very short tournament with 7 referees for 5 matches and inherent confederational conflicts that either need to be managed or accepted. I imagine there was a plan ahead of the tournament with maybe slight backup deviation if something went wrong. I could totally see Marciniak planned for SF/Final and I could also see Penso planned for Opener/Final. Given the format and the teams and the referees, either option sees totally plausible. I could also see Valenzuela planned as a potential Final referee so long as Fluminese lost and/or he did very well, but those conditions didn't arise.
My gut says Marciniak with Penso on 3/4 but we shall see shortly.
My gut says Marciniak on Final
Ugh. 5 referees for 7 matches. Inverted those figures accidently.
DeleteWhy can't you express your opinion without trying to insult my comprehension of the Eng language? Fact of the is it did happen. Many members of this group don't speak Eng as a first language. Who made you the custodian of the Eng language.The arrogance of you, then you turn around and make the same "odd" prediction. Typical yank
DeleteSzymon Marciniak played a good competition today. I think it can have the final and Penso can have the match for 3rd place. Besides, for Marciniak each semi-final will be like a final. We'll see Manchester's match tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteFinal predictions
ReplyDeleteAl Ahly - Urawa: Valenzuela, Urrego, Moreno (all VEN), Kawana-Waugh (NZL) - Soto (VEN), Lara (CHI), Kupsik (POL), Bebek (CRO)
Fluminense - Manchester: Penso, Mayo, Nesbitt (all USA), Ndala (COD) - Guzman (NCA), Zourak (MAR), Listkiewicz (POL), Al Marri (QAT)
Unconfirmed reports of Marciniak assigned to final, again after having officiated a semifinal, like CL. In case, it would be clear signal that Collina loves him and he rather decides to assign to the Polish the best games without thinking too much (this is not something I write against the referee and the choice, but it is clear how much he is liked).
ReplyDeleteChefer, you are being unfair with this comment. Szymon Marciniak is the best at the moment, so why shouldn't he get to the final. He did well in the last semi-final and he's refereeing the final because that's what it's all about. Isn't it?!
DeleteI watched the semifinal and imo Marciniak was outstanding (8,6 region); the final appointment for the Pole is one made on merit.
DeleteA bit ironic, but ok 🙂
DeleteWhat? Do you think I'm exaggerating/not being serious? I was 'blown away' by the level of refereeing shown by Marciniak and thought he was brilliant. He made the game look a lot easier than it really was by his officiating, and got the key decision of the game spot on (penalty for careless tripping on Marcelo). A semifinal-final appmnt is sth 'extraordinary', and according to the performances principle, that feat is fully deserved for the Polish official in my opinion.
DeleteNot surprised by Mikael W. defending Marciniak (again), as head of the fanclub. Are you on his payroll too? :) No offense though.
DeleteNot all referees receive the same positive attention and support as Marciniak tbh. To give an example; I expected a positive report from you regarding Makkelie's performance in Newcastle-Milan. But no, complete silence. :)) A bit odd, as that was a very sensitive game after Marciniak whistled a wrong penalty against Newcastle...
the penalty was correct
DeleteAnd not a single word by Mikael W about Nyberg as well.
DeleteThe showdown in group F was something special. Both referees were under the highest pressure. Complete silence from Mikael's side which surprised me.
However always on the first row to burn Makkelie when he can.
And now, on first row to praise Marciniak in a Mickey Mouse competition that very few people are watching. And a long essay about Marciniak’s MD5.
As admin on the biggest referee blog, we expect you to appear neutral, like a top flight referee.
Right now, it appears you have an agenda. I’m sorry to say it.
Sorry, these comments are out of order. Who (tf) do you think I am?! I'm not paid by UEFA or anybody to watch matches and the simple reality is that I watch more old than current football - the last seven matches I watched in full were both legs of the 1996 UEFA Cup Final(s), both legs of the Chelsea vs. Monaco 2004 CL semifinals and the semifinals/final of the (2023) Club WC. I spend most of my 'energy' on refereeing collecting and watching matches from the past, as anybody who knows me personally will attest to.
DeleteOkay, whether 'the other Law5 admin' should watch more current games is indeed a valid question, but that isn't the point that you raised. I post comments on the blog when I believe I can add value to the discussion.
I was out on the evening of the Newcastle-Paris-Dortmund-Milan MD6 so that's why I (obviously) couldn't write comments about either Makkelie/Nyberg's performance(s). Please stop insinuating that I have sth against Danny Makkelie. I found much enjoyment watching him officiate obscure matches in Greece-Kuwait-UAE-Saudi on many occasions (remember this is my HOBBY and not my JOB). Ask yourself - would I really have done that if I dislike Makkelie and his refereeing so much? Of course, you know the answer. I would be the FIRST person who would be delighted for the Dutchman if he was deservedly awarded the 2024 CL final.
If you really think that a guy who watches all 50+ matches from, for example, WC1986/1990, takes detailed notes about everything, makes a highlights video, writes a report, and then has a lengthy discussion with a friend about the most appropriate mark for each referee/linesman (please just think about, in your head, how much time this takes)... would co-run a blog just because he has an axe to grind against ref x or y, actually that reveals much more about YOUR mindset, not mine.
If you want to stand-by this assertion that I have an agenda for/against certain referees and not apologise, then let me say this: you have completely misread me and could *not* be more wrong.
In my opinion, it would be a wrong call to give the CWC final to Marciniak on many different levels:
ReplyDelete- He refereed Man City in the semi-final UCL, the final UCL and now City again in the CWC final? The latter is avoidable. To add, Fluminese twice within a week? Come on.
- A referee is as good as his last games. We all have the fatal error in the PSG-Newcastle match fresh in our minds. A perfect referee performance destroyed by this error, with big consequences for the Magpies. A ridiculous penalty and FIFA as an umbrella organisation cannot ignore this. To give Marciniak a final only a few weeks later, despite of all the negative media attention? Ridiculous in my opinion. For all referees it should have consequences when they make a blatant mistake.
About the second part of your post, you should know that nowadays and clearly more than the past, UEFA and FIFA are two very different worlds, so no matter what happened in the CL game, this FIFA competition was planned on this date, so not assigning for "external reasons" a referee if he deserves that, shouldn't work.
DeleteIn your opinion it was a terrible mistake, in my opinion it was a consequence of the guidelines.
DeleteMaybe someone would finally kindly take it on the chin and admit that the broadcast of the CL match was dictated by the guidelines. Do you really think that Marciniak could have made a mistake while watching the replay on the monitor? Well, no!
ReplyDeleteof course it's about the situation, not the broadcast, sorry for the error
ReplyDeleteMatch 7 - The Final 🏆
ReplyDeleteManchester City (ENG) vs Fluminense (BRA)
Referee: Szymon Marciniak 🇵🇱
AR1: Tomasz Listkiewicz 🇵🇱
AR2: Adam Kupsik 🇵🇱
4th: Jesus Valenzuela 🇻🇪
Match 6:
ReplyDeleteUrawa Red Diamonds (JPN) vs Al Ahly (EGY)
Referee: Tori Penso 🇺🇸
AR1: Brooke Mayo 🇺🇸
AR2: Kathryn Nesbitt 🇺🇸
4th: Jean-Jaques Ndala 🇨🇩
@Herbert
ReplyDeleteThese are your predictions or leaked info? Very important to mention it. Arbitro Internacional didn't post anything yet.
Official. Published by FIFA on X (@fifamedia).
DeleteIndeed. Before the tournament it was more than expected that Marciniak would get the final, and you can not say that it is undeserved for Marciniak to check also this final on the list. But allow me to disagree with this management. Same referee in semifinal and final is not ok. And FIFA seems to normalise it, which is worrying.
DeleteYou say a Semi-final and a final, but in this competition, is it that important? It may be different elsewhere, but in the UK this isn't really viewed as that major an event. Yes, it's nice to win, but many won't even know it's on. In that sense, with so few games, it seems reasonable enough in a tournament with so few games to repeat officials in the top games
DeleteLogical and inevitable appointment in my opinion, couldn't see UEFA sending arguably their best referee to a mickey mouse tournament without a final appointment
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